Nantwich Choral Society gave an uplifting rendition of Haydn's The Seasons at Nantwich Civic Hall on Saturday night.

Tackling a lengthy and significant piece piece like this takes guts but the choir along with the Northern Concordia Orchestra tackled it with gusto and aplomb, despite a slightly muffled start. Those opening few bars had a certain brashness that might be to do with the acoustics or nerves but which did not bode well.

Where it sparked into life, real life, was the first chorus, a lovely flowing lyrical piece of music. Here it was possible to feel the grace and the glide, even the majesty of what Haydn was writing about, something that continued for much of the evening. If this performance had any real stars it was the chorus who sang with a conviction that inspired without losing sight of the gentleness of much of the music.

That is not to say that the others were weak or lacking. Far from it. The Northern Concordia that early (and short) blip to one side more than held their own and the three soloists were commendable. One who deserves special mention was Martin Minter who sang tenor with a notable clarity and a well rounded tone and whilst soprano Jane Johnson might be a tad too theatrical to the taste of some in the darker passages it is needed and appreciated.

- Michael Mackey